Drilling 29 gal. Looking for overflow ideas

[1-900-REEF]

I'm building a new reef tank. It is a 29 gal. with a 20 gal. long refugium. I have a 500 GPH return pump going to a SQWD. Before I drill for the overflow bulkhead, I would like more ideas on how to make a quiet surface skimmer that takes up minimal space, & doesn't block too much light. ( I'm planning to put the overflow in the center, & the returns in the rear corners)
I'm thinking about an external durso. Could I put my bulkhead in 4" or so below the water line, & use an upturned 90 deg from the bulkhead, & a short pc of pipe to get to the desired water level?
Any other ideas?

Thanks,
Todd

[grallster]

That's how I have my frag tank plumbed...works good. Just make sure the top of the durso goes higher than the upturned elbow in the tank....due to the fact that you're drilling a hole in the cap. I wouldn't say it's the best looking thing in a tank though.
You might have to worry about sucking up fish or snails this way (not a concern in my frag tank). I'm guessing covering the top with a screen or sponge would stop them.
You could try going with a small glass box strainer glued over the hole with an external durso--the box in the tank wouldn't have to be very big.

[YLChik]

here is mine in my 29 gallon
http://thereeftank.com/forums/showth...t=90397&page=9
loko at post 162 and 180 on page nine

hope that helps you

[digitalis]

I built a Lexan box and siliconed it to the back of my tank, then cut finger slits in it like overflow boxes have. It worked great. Mine wasn't drilled, but it would work the same. Mine's almost the same concept as YLChik's, but out of lexan, with fingers on top to strain more.. to avoid fish from getting washed into it.

[1-900-REEF]

Thanks for the replies.
I drilled my tank last night. I was surprised to see how easy it was - That was my first attempt at drilling glass.
I'm going to fill it up & do a flow test tonight.
For now I'm going to use an upturned elbow coming out of the bulkhead, going into a 2" coupling for surface skimming. If I'm not happy with that, I'll go with the glass box idea.

[bklynmet]

Just curious, did you use a diamond tip hole saw or a dremel?

[1-900-REEF]

Dremel.
I think it cost like $4.99 for the 2 bits together at Menard's.